Latvian quad bikes against Russian tanks
"Your quad can do more!" (Tava kvadra var vairāk!) is a more discreet and less publicized activity than the "Twitter convoy" delivering SUVs to Ukraine. More specific military tactical vehicles are also needed for frontline warfare. Reconnaissance and anti-tank teams have to move dynamically through difficult terrain - swamps, forests and waterlogged farmland - to get close to enemy heavy armored vehicles, which mainly use shared roads.
A quick, unexpected attack and an equally quick retreat. A quadricycle against a tank is like a mouse against an elephant or David against the Goliath. Great things can be done if the soldier is equipped with a grenade launcher or rocket launcher. Recognizing the effectiveness of this method of warfare, the Latvian army has also been equipped with specialized buggies and six-wheelers. In the civilian world, the analogue of these specialized military vehicles are quadricycles - those designed for sport and recreation. But in the reality of war, military uses are found for everything, and quadricycles are no exception.
The third ten are on the way to the front
The slogan of the campaign, carried out by inventor Uģis Svirido and his service comrades from the 19th Combat Support Battalion of the National Guard, is "Your quad can do more!". Today, individuals and companies continue to donate ATVs to support Ukraine in its war against Russia. Even completely new ones from a shop window - as company SDK has done. A total of four Can-Am Outlander quadricycles have been sent to Ukraine. Two were financed by the company itself and two by a customer. And second-hand vehicles are also being donated - about half and half. Both well-maintained ones and ones that have been staying in a garage for several years. Three quads have also been sent via the convoy of Twitter jeeps. Uģis Svirido says that the first stop for used quads are the cooperation services that donate their working hours to Ukraine. Spare parts and technical fluids are bought with the donated money. It is very important that the donor of the quad describes the technical faults, if any, very precisely. Then the mechanics can get the vehicle back in order more quickly. At the moment, several dozen donated ATVs are in the workshops. On Saturday, ten of them will be fitted with gun racks and cargo racks, repainted in camouflage colors, and on Sunday placed in a van. A third ten of the military-improved quads will make their way to the front. Fuel, camouflage nets, spare wheels, batteries, charging stations, generators - everything useful for the war that has been donated in the campaign - will be placed in the hold. Donors should note that these items will be needed also in the future.
Quadricycles adapted to specific needs
Uģis Svirido acts as the main supplier of quad bikes for the campaign. For example, he is currently negotiating with a sports complex in Estonia that is willing to sell several dozen sports buggies and quad bikes for a symbolic sum. Of course, even a symbolic sum still has to be raised. So Uģis is managing the aid to Ukraine, but in the meantime, the daily work and orders at the metalworking plant are waiting for the war to end. More than ten people are currently volunteering for various jobs - grinding, painting, screwing, welding. And at the front, these efforts are appreciated. Latvian quads are in demand. Ukrainian units are even sending individualized requests. Drone operators need additional transport boxes for electronics in their quads. For reconnaissance, the more powerful sport quads need to be fitted with additional silencers. As the operation takes place mainly in the dark, the quad headlights are also requested to be camouflaged. The special task force also has its own equipment requirements. But overall, the main thing is that the donated ATVs should be powerful and preferably two-seaters, but beyond that, the equipment will be designed as required.
The Latvian unit will get one
When the ATV fleet from Latvia reaches the logistics center, the Ukrainian units themselves are arriving for them. The Latvian side is careful to ensure that this specialized equipment is brought to the front to the assault units, and not handed out at the back to cooks and headquarters as regular transport. A few exceptions are made, however, as the quadricycles provided by the Latvians have also been given to Ukrainian National Guard scouts - since they are the Latvian National Guard counterparts. And one of the ATVs is likely to go on a donated bus to the Latvian unit in Ukraine. Our volunteers are not in the front line there, where ATVs are used more effectively, but they are our people. And the goal is the same. Glory to Ukraine!
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